Cunnamulla's Old Railway Station (South West Queensland, Outback Australia)

            For the people of Cunnamulla, the railway lines were the lifeblood of their town, and the station platform was its beating heart.

Built on the current site in 1898, the original Cunnamulla Railway Station was an ornate Government building. It burnt to the ground in 1934. It was rebuilt the following year, though not to the same grand scale. Interestingly, the station platform is covered, one of only three such covered platforms in the entirety of Queensland.

Trains arrived, laden with goods from the city. A six-month supply of groceries, a long-awaited dress ordered from a catalogue, or a roll of fencing wire for an urgent farm repair. Local goods would be loaded for the return journey.

Trains also brought loved ones from afar; perhaps a city-dwelling cousin, or schoolchildren home for the holidays.

It was common for people to wander down to the platform, chatting and waiting for the familiar whistle and beaming headlight that signaled the train's imminent arrival, just to watch the comings and goings and share in the excitement of it all - especially on a Saturday night.

Adding to the festivities, Cunnamulla's brass band would strike up a tune and many locals have fond memories of dancing on the platform.

During both World Wars, trains carried young men away from their families, sometimes forever. Many were leaving home for the first time, full of trepidation and adventure. Those who made it back were welcomed by the same band that had bid them farewell.

Regardless of whether it was midday or midnight, the band, led by the legendary Mr Bob Poncho, would be there to serenade their men.

Source: Paroo Shire Council.

Taken on: January 1, 2023

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Sets appears in: • South West Queensland (Charleville, Cunnamulla, & Mitchell)

Camera: Nikon D5600, f/8.0, 1/60 sec, 19mm (=28mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D5600
Lens:	TAMRON 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD A037N
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.017 sec (1/60)
Focal Length:	19mm (35mm equivalent: 28mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 13.1 (Windows)
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